Reversing the Influence: How Teacher Technology Adoption Shapes Principal Digital Leadership Practice?

Authors

  • Rui Zhu Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Bity Salwana Alias Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Mohd Izham Mohd Hamzah Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61132/ijed.v2i3.178

Keywords:

Teacher Technology Adoption, Principal Digital Leadership, survey, regression analysis, China

Abstract

In the field of leadership, traditional literature has largely focused on how followers are influenced by leaders or how they act as mediators between leadership and behaviors. However, leadership is a process of interaction, leadership research should shift this focus to emphasize the influence of followers on leaders. Therefore, this research examines how teacher technology adoption impacts principal digital leadership practices. A quantitative survey method was employed, collecting data from 382 university teachers in Changchun city, China, with Pearson correlation and multiple regression data analysis. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between teacher technology adoption and principal digital leadership, as well as confirmed a statistically regression model from teacher technology adoption to principal digital leadership practice. The further analysis showed that communication dimension contributes most, while teaching dimension has a very weak effect on principal digital leadership practice. The study provides valuable contributions to both theory and practice, discusses the findings and implications in detail. The significance of the study derives from its ability to deepen our understanding of the reciprocal influence between digital leadership and technology adoption in higher education, offering insights for future research and practical applications in similar contexts.

Author Biographies

Rui Zhu, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

a PHD student in Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Educational Technology and thus focuses on the field of digitalization in education.  She has a strong interest in education digitization and has published several papers in the field, contributing unique insights and perspectives. Zhu Rui is committed to promoting the integration of education technology and management, and exploring how digital technology can be utilized to enhance the quality and efficiency of education. Her research focuses on practical applications, policy implications, and innovative approaches to educational digitization and management.

Bity Salwana Alias, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

 She is a chairman of the Center for Leadership and Education Policy Studies. She has a Diploma in International Trade from the Kolej Agama Sultan Zainal Abidin, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA), a Post-graduate Teaching Diploma from the Technical College, a Master's in Educational Administration from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and a Doctorate of Philosophy also from UKM. Started serving as a teacher at SMK Damansara Utama from 1995 to 1999. Then at SMK Jalan Tiga and SMK Jalan Empat from 1999 to 2005. Served in the Planning and Research Division of Education Policy, Commentary on Education Malaysia in 2009 to 2018 after graduating from Doctor of Philosophy Degree as Assistant Director in the Research and Evaluation Sector. Started serving as a Senior Lecturer at UKM from 2018 to now. The study specializes in the field of administration and noble values including for unity and integrity.

Mohd Izham Mohd Hamzah, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Associate Professor in the field of Education administration at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), He has expertise in the field of management in Education, Education, Human resource management and training design in education. He is also an experienced administrator in the Education and Camping Kakulti holding as the Coordinator of the Special Programme of Undergraduate Headmaster, Head of Quality Management of the Faculty of Education, Head of Basic Education Department, Head of Education Leadership and Policy Department and Deputy Dean of Academic Faculty of Education UKM.

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Published

2025-06-18

How to Cite

Rui Zhu, Bity Salwana Alias, & Mohd Izham Mohd Hamzah. (2025). Reversing the Influence: How Teacher Technology Adoption Shapes Principal Digital Leadership Practice?. International Journal of Educational Development, 2(3), 91–100. https://doi.org/10.61132/ijed.v2i3.178

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2025): July: International Journal of Educational Development

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Articles

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